The death of animals is unnecessary.

I am 14, and I persuaded my family to let me stop eating meat around six months ago. I have always had a distaste for meat, and have not eaten red meats for around 5/6 years. It has recently hit me how unnecessary the consumption of meat is. We kill animals for our own survival, even though we can very easily survive eating other proteins and non meat products.

The biggest challenge for me has been giving up sweets and desserts which include gelatine, and I sometimes slip, but feel guilty and remember why I do it.

I think people need to take a look at where their food comes from, and think about what other living beings are going through to provide them with meat, sweets and, in some cases, beer.

Compassion in Action

by Joanne Cordaro
(Long Island, NY)

I am committed to the concept of compassion and becoming a vegetarian was a definitive way to fulfill my desire to live more compassionately.

I was never much of a meat eater, but I was still eating turkey and chicken when i saw a video of a chicken being held and petted by a young child. I had had birds as pets and knew them to be affectionate and responsive. So I cannot adequately explain why I was shocked that a chicken could be affectionate and responsive!

That little video, only a few seconds long, created a chain reaction of thought inside me. I had to ask myself.... If I say I live a compassionate life, how could I justify animals being killed for me as part of a compassionate life? I couldn't. I stopped eating meat in that moment.

Being a vegetarian is not always easy, but it has been much easier than I ever thought it would be. I believe this decision allows me to live more authentically and more compassionately.

I continue to look for ways to live compassionately....it changed everything! It changes your relationship with yourself, with others, and yes, with your food. I wish I had done this sooner, but better late than never.

Comments for Compassion in Action

Hi Joanne, thanks for telling your story. I think more and more people are turning to a vegetarian or vegan diet because of their compassion for animals. It's like a switch goes off one day when we equate gentle, loving animals with what's on our plates. Then there's no turning back.

Teenage Vegetarian

by Amber
(USA)

I became a vegetarian at age 14 after seeing what truly goes on in the meat industry and being disgusted by the pain the animals must go through. Over time, I've also found that vegetarianism could help world hunger and increase lifespan. I've now been a vegetarian for 2 years, and I plan on becoming vegan when I'm out and living on my own.

Comments for Teenage Vegetarian

I didn't become a vegetarian until I was living on my own and much older than you. I had no idea what was happening in the meat industry or the damage that eating animal protein from factory raised animals could do to my health or the environment. It sounds like your family supports your decision to eat vegetarian, which is great.

If you run into any issues or have questions on your diet or transitioning to vegan, feel free to contact me.